Thinking about volunteering in Bath & North East Somerset? Join our team and change the lives of thousands of vulnerable people every year
Volunteering in Bath & North East Somerset
We have offices located across the region. So, if you’re thinking of volunteering, but are worried about the commute, we have options available for you, including remote volunteering.
How do our volunteers feel about what they do?
“At the end of the day, I feel like I’ve done something good, because I’ve really helped people in need.”
Jo (Admin Support Casework volunteer)
Here are some of the roles that you could apply your skills to:
Trustee
Every Citizens Advice is an independent charity, so we have our own board of trustees. Some trustee roles require specific skills but we welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences. This could be the voluntary role you are looking for to play a key part in a vital community organisation.
As a Citizens Advice Trustee you would:
- manage and plan the charity’s overall strategic direction
- act as employer for paid staff
- manage the organisation’s finances
- ensure the charity complies with the law
Digital Support Volunteers
**NOW RECRUITING!**
Digital Support Volunteers enable clients to find the information that they need and/or to use the different facilities that are available. For instance, you may help clients with kiosks or go online.
As a Digital Support Volunteer you will:
- actively promote the use of the kiosks/PCs
- support clients using kiosks or PCs
- help identify the correct leaflet, self-help resource or service provider
- identify where an appointment may be required
Specific qualifications and experience are not required to take on the role. You need to:
- speak to people in a good manner
- have basic computing and good literacy skills
- enjoy helping people
- be friendly and approachable
Fuel Team Volunteer
**NOW RECRUITING!**
We are looking for people to arrange fuel top-up vouchers for clients in need.
As a Fuel Team volunteer you will:
- complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
- reply to emails in the fuel team mailbox
- purchase fuel top up vouchers using our online systems and distributing to clients
- answering any queries clients may have about redeeming their vouchers
- contacting clients via e-mail or phone to obtain relevant utilities information
- update spreadsheets and databases
Advisers
Covid-19 and the Cost Of Living Crisis have increased the demand for advice. As a result, we are continually looking for more advisers.
Our generalist advice service looks at a client’s situation holistically so that we can provide advice in multiple areas including benefits, debt, housing and employment.
Advisers are given free training, both formally and on the job.
As a Citizens Advice adviser you would:
- interview clients
- help them negotiate with people such as creditors and service providers
- draft letters
- make phone calls on their behalf
Specific qualifications or experience are not required to train for the role. You need to:
- be good at listening
- speak to people in a good manner
- have basic computing skills
- be open-minded and non-judgmental
- be friendly and approachable
Campaigning for Change
By using evidence collected from the clients we help, you could help bring about changes in local and national policies and services. These actions can benefit everyone, even those who have never used a Citizens Advice.
You would:
- complete and collate evidence forms recording clients’ problems
- identify and raise relevant issues
- train staff and volunteers in identifying issues and completing evidence forms
- conduct research and write reports
- get involved in media campaigning
- liaise with other Citizens Advice offices and agencies
Advice Assistant Volunteer
**NOW RECRUITING!**
Advice Assistant Volunteers work with our Debt, Energy and Income Maximisation Teams to provide administrative support for our services to clients.
You would:
- Complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
- Help with the day to day running of the Debt, Energy and Income Max teams
- Answer the telephone, reply to emails and post
- Contact clients to set up appointments
- Maintaining client records and inputting data.
- Print and scan documents using a printer
- Update spreadsheets and databases
- handling correspondence and other documents
- handling phone calls and taking messages
- carrying out administrative tasks
We have partnerships with other social service providers, meaning you might help clients in these organisations to Macmillan, BathMind and Dorothy House.
